Abraham Lincoln was born in the little town of Hodgenville, about 70 miles Northeast of us in Northern Kentucky.  He spent about 9 years in Kentucky until his parents moved to Indiana.  Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky claim Lincoln, but his birthplace was in a log cabin in Kentucky.  He had fond memories of his youth in Kentucky and spoke of them in some of this speeches.

We visited Lincoln's birthplace this week with the Oakleys on our p-day.  We had to get permission from our Mission President to do so because Hodgenville is out side our mission.  Hodgenville is near the larger city of Elizabethtown which is part of the Kentucky Louisville mission.  There is a very nice park there and a nice monument.  Inside the building behind us is a replica of the cabin Lincoln was born in.

Sister Peterson is standing next to the log cabin replica.  It was quite interesting but hard to get a good picture of because you couldn't get enough distance away to get the complete building.

The important feature of the farm where Lincoln was born is this spring, called Sinking Springs.  It provided the water for their home and is a type of spring common only to the limestone formations in the area..  Sister Oakley and Sister Peterson are standing in a hole about 12 feet deep, that had stairs that led down into the spring.

This is the little holler where Lincoln's parents farmed.  It has been untouched and undeveloped since that time and looks much like it would have when they lived there.  They raised corn and wheat and many herbs to sell to passersby because the Cumberland Trail passed right by the farm.

A statue of Lincoln graces the little town's main square and there is a small museum there as well.  We spent and interesting day visiting and enjoying this bit of history of one of our greatest Presidents.  Later in the week as we were teaming with our traveling elders, we committed a lady to a baptismal date.  We had visited her several times before and given her a Book of Mormon.  The spirit and boldness of our young elders influenced her and she accepted the challenge.  Now we have to get her taught and ready.  She committed to be baptized on Sept. 13th, the day before we leave, so we have our work to do!
Elder and Sister Peterson  (Enjoyin' history and the spirit)